The Selfish Giant
Once upon a time there was a large castle that stood in the middle of a village.
It had belonged to a giant, but the villagers believed it was now abandoned.
The giant had been seen since he had gone to visit a goblin in the neighboring village 7 years ago.
Ha ha ha.. Look at this! Ha ha.
Mmm! Have you tried these peaches? So juicy!
Have you tried the apples? Maybe we should pick some grapes tomorrow!
Let’s do it! Ha ha!
Oh, how pretty! This is so much fun!
Ever since the giant left, his castle had become a playground for the village children.
Then one day, he decided to return home.
He had stayed with his friend the goblin for seven years and they had run out of things to talk about.
Wow! This is so beautiful! Oh, how lovely! Amazing!
What’s this? Uninvited guests in my castle?
Ha ha ha! Over here! Weee! This is awesome!
Ugh…Hey! Be quiet! You…children…
How dare you come and play here without my permission?
Get out!!
He's so scary.. Waa.. Mommy, I wanna go home..
Ugh…Shut up and get out, immediately!!
Hmm! I hate children!
"Guarded by fierce dogs. No children allowed.”
That’s better. Finally I am alone.
Yes, this is how it suppose to be! Ha ha ha!
Me too. We were never bored when we played in the castle…
But that awful monster lives there now.
Hey!! Watch out, children! Go play inside!
We have to think of a plan…
We have to win our garden back!
That’s right! We will go fight that giant!
Let’s get some weapons!
Okay…
Oh…we can’t beat that angry giant with these… It’s hopeless…
…and now he’s got guard dogs in the garden too.
Wait…I have an idea….listen….
Huh? What’s this now? What are they up to now…
What are you doing?
Hey, you kids!! Get out of here!!
Why don’t you come over and try it too? It’s fun!
Come out and play with us! You seem lonely.
Can we be your friends? Come on, let's play!
Ugh..
Look, the plan is working! He’s coming out now!
How could anyone say no to sweet children like us? Ha ha ha!
Silence! If you come near my garden again, you’ll be sorry! Understood?
Ahhh..
After chasing the children away, the giant attached barbed wire to the walls of his castle.
That night he was very pleased with himself.
But I bet they can’t climb over barbed wire…Huh?
There’s no one here! I am all alone!! Hurray! Hurray!
The following morning…
What!? My garden! Where is my beautiful garden?
Well…I am sure this strange weather will be over soon.
Spring will come, my flowers will bloom again, and the trees will bear fruit. Oooo…it’s so cold!
The giant did not see that it was really his heart that was cold and frozen.
Time went by, and the village had seen three springs come and go.
Lovely flowers in pink, purple, and red had blossomed in the mountains,
and the trees were heavy with fruit.
Why won’t spring come to my garden? Oh…it is so dreary here…
For three years the giant had been alone in his cold, dark castle,
For the first time, he began to feel lonely.
What!? What am I saying? Could I really.......
...be lonely?
Just then..
I see flowers! Look, flowers!!
Overjoyed, the giant rushed out into the garden.
Spring has come! Spring has come at last! It’s spring!!
What?
You!! You kids..
Oh, no!!!
No, no! Wait…
Don't go....
Slowly, the giant turned towards the crying child.
Hey you, what are you doing here?
Ohhh…I really want to climb this tree…but I can’t reach…
Here…
Oh…thank you so much!
Ha ha...
Huh..??
The giant suddenly realized why spring had come to his garden.
The children had brought it back with their joy and their laughter,
and the flowers could bloom again.
Ha ha ha!
The giant blushed at the children’s laughter.
Just then, he knew that that sound was the most beautiful thing in his garden,
..the most beautiful thing in the world.